Well, there was any wind so i thought i`d set about attempting to make my first board

Been wanting to do this for ages - i`ve created the core from 4 x 3mm layers of Corecell, then glassed them together using 2 x 9oz layers and then a layer of 2oz glass on each side. Then epoxied it all together in a vacuum.

Here`s the pics so far - hoping to get it finished early next week! Can`t wait to try it (or see how long it take sbefore it snaps - i hope not!

Rocker table -

Foam partially cut out - i used templates for these that i made -

Glassing the layers together under vacuum -

After glassing the top layers on -

Unfortunately, the vacuum pump broke towards the end of the final layers going on, so there was a couple of patchs on the edge that didn`t laminate properly so i`ve sanded these back and will reglass them tonight.

How does the final cost compare to buying a mass produced board? Have always wanted to build my own board but as I have snapped quite a few production boards I'm not sure I'd be able to build one strong enough

the vacuum bagging isn`t as fiddly as you might think. once you`ve got the equipment - i.e - old fridge pump (that ideally doesn`t break !), and the vacuum material, etc - its just a case of once its glassed, just stick it in the bag, seal it off and switch the pump on - everything then sucks down and you get a really good glassing. - hopefully get the board down the beach one evening this week, so i`ll have to show you it rob

i reckon, the cost is probably a quarter of normal board, that includs all basic materials, ie, epoxy, fibre glass, foam (expensive) / wood (cheaper) and some 2nd hand pads, straps, fins - i think i`ll need to make quite alot of board before i get to the standard of factory ones though!

going to hotcoat the top of the board tomorrow night, so hopefully will get to ride it later this week

mike.s wrote:the vacuum bagging isn`t as fiddly as you might think. once you`ve got the equipment - i.e - old fridge pump (that ideally doesn`t break !), and the vacuum material, etc - its just a case of once its glassed, just stick it in the bag, seal it off and switch the pump on - everything then sucks down and you get a really good glassing. - hopefully get the board down the beach one evening this week, so i`ll have to show you it rob

i reckon, the cost is probably a quarter of normal board, that includs all basic materials, ie, epoxy, fibre glass, foam (expensive) / wood (cheaper) and some 2nd hand pads, straps, fins - i think i`ll need to make quite alot of board before i get to the standard of factory ones though!

going to hotcoat the top of the board tomorrow night, so hopefully will get to ride it later this week

Mate this is amazing! I wish I had the know how... I just want to retire and spend the days building my own kites and boards... or find a friend who does it and sell these for him.

thanks - finally got time to finish it tonight - testing out tomorrow!

next time, i`ll definitely lap the fibre glass on the rails as i had a nightmare with the top and bottom not coming together properly. i ended up having to fill the rails with epoxy which caused loads of dribbles down the board which took ages to sand off!

i also should have put the inserts in flush with the top of the foam. i protruded them by 1mm thinking the glass and eposy would take this up but they sit a bit proud but no one `ll see this with the pads on.

anyway, here`s pics - the asthetics are a bit rough which is why i haven`t sanded it to a polished finish but its only a first board. i`m really pleased with it my main worry is it snapping when i land a jump or something - but i`ll have to wai and see how it goes!

mike

oh, also need to get some matching 50mm fins for the toeside edge as i nicked the ones off my skimboard and they`re odd!

it rides really well, pops, jumps lands jumps, didn`t snap and i came off the water with a big smile on my face! even landed some first rotations with it which i`d never tried before! sounds a bit weird but the spray of water that comes from under the board seemed to be jetting out realyl smoothly too - never realyl thought about that before

the only gripe i think i can find is that when going one direction, a jet of water emits from behind one heel straight into my ankle on the back foot - i must have a slightly different profile to rail there or something from where i shaped it. had a look and they looked the same to be honest though! thats just a niggle really.

next one i do, im going to see if i can get some better looking graphics going i think. also, i may use a combination of wood and foam.

mike.s wrote:well, i spent all weekend riding the board and i`m well pleased !

it rides really well, pops, jumps lands jumps, didn`t snap and i came off the water with a big smile on my face! even landed some first rotations with it which i`d never tried before! sounds a bit weird but the spray of water that comes from under the board seemed to be jetting out realyl smoothly too - never realyl thought about that before

the only gripe i think i can find is that when going one direction, a jet of water emits from behind one heel straight into my ankle on the back foot - i must have a slightly different profile to rail there or something from where i shaped it. had a look and they looked the same to be honest though! thats just a niggle really.

next one i do, im going to see if i can get some better looking graphics going i think. also, i may use a combination of wood and foam.

maybe after i`ve made a few more, i might look into selling a couple now and them, but there no where near good enough to be selling yet! it might ride well, but it looks a bit rough - need a few more prototypes first!

for advice on making them - i just looked in the board making forum on kiteforum and also swaylocks (more surfboard orientated but has lots of good info on glassign, etc). loads of info out ther eon the internet!